A Few Words With Beq Janus

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

On Saturday September 6, Team Firestorm celebrated it's fifteenth anniversary party. Among those there was the team's Project Manager Beq Janus. I would have a few words with her. 

 

"Good to have you here," Beq tolds me, "It seems incredible that anything lasts 15 years, let alone the more than two decades of Second Life itself. The fact that there's enough passion that a bunch of residents come together to help or at least try to make Second Life the best it can be and supplement the work of the Lab is great, but the fact we're still here, still doing it 15 years later, is mind blowing really. So many people ask me ;how is FS funded?; ;How do you make a profit?; they don't realize that this is entirely voluntary not a single person in my team get paid a penny, a dime, a linden or a peanut, but I think that is also why we are still going strong."

I asked her, "I take it managing things since the departure of Jessica has been a challenge?" She answered, "Jess will always be the spirit of Firestorm. When she told me I was taking over (yep told me, (laughter), no asking!) I had no real idea of how these things work really. I've run large teams in real life, but never a team where pay is never the motivation, where the only reason someone stays is because they enjoy what they do or draw some satisfaction from what they contribute.

 

"This ragtag  bunch of weirdos, and the entire structure of the project is probably close to unique. So it's a real honour to lead them or at least wander in a given direction and hope that they follow (smile)."

 

"SL is full of unique things, social structures and behaviors that simply emerged, while it has never really found that killer  features that perfect use that everyone needs it for, just look at yourself and your role, the griffins over there, the singers and artists, the Goreans and all the RPers of all forms, there's not many places where you can find real people living out dreams/hobbies/needs in such diverse ways."

 

I then asked, "How's it been working things out with Linden Lab, and other challenges?" Beq answered, "Linden Lab has a tough job. they need to keep SL relevant, they need it to grow realistically, its a tough job. I'm really glad, as I'm sure most of us are, that they remain committed. We have different perspectives on some things because of our differing motivations. But our working relationship is probably a lot closer these days, and that applies to all third party viewers not just Firestorm."

Beq added she was a supporter of the Relay for Life and what it did here. Going on, "The amazing Tally Mercury, who you heard tonight. I believe he didn't really think he was a singer until friends talked him into singing in SL. ... I've met published authors who used Second Life to play out new ideas or just enjoy RP to escape their writing. Others who inspired by their chosen community develop the ideas into tales. and others who may not have been inspired directly by Second Life found that the creative spark of SL led them to take a leap into writing and sharing ideas. If you pause to look, see beyond the "dressup" and clothing events and perhaps the inevitable sex and kink mentions, the number of spinoffs, the lives changed and improved through SL is nothing short of breathtaking (even the clothing events the showcases of creators are of course another example, of job creation, upskilling and enablement through Second lIfe) it never ceases to amaze me."

 

Eventually, Beq had to go, and we parted ways. 

 

Beq Janus continues to manage Team Firestorm on a daily basis

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

SL Burner Gets Her Build To Be Made At Burning Man

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

This is from the Burning Man Journal.

”The Black Rock City Honoraria Program funds artists from around the globe to create innovative participatory art projects — big and small — that rise on the city’s open playa. These grants from Burning Man Project support returning and new artists alike, they catalyze cross-cultural understanding, and help communities nurture artists and community leaders. These capacities may emerge through the process of creating art in Black Rock City, but their impact extends well beyond the dust to advance a more creative and connected world.

Funded by the nonprofit Burning Man Project, the Black Rock City Honoraria Program helps artists from all traditions and walks of life tell their stories through collaborative projects. When you contribute to the nonprofit through donations or higher-priced tickets, you’re directly funding these grants, bringing art to the playa and more connective creativity to the world. The Honoraria grants are designed to cover a portion of the artists’ costs, but projects require additional financial and logistical support from the community.”

At the July Conception weekend in Second Life, 3V (3vilyn Vortex) and Jeff Olhoeft (jolhoeft Resident) erected a beautiful effigy to be burned. It is one of the few I have seen that I did not want to see flame and disappear. Now it is being constructed for the Burning Man on the Black Rock City in real life!

3V ‘s vision won an honorarium for this year. This is allowing her to recreate that effigy. Burning Man opens August 24 and runs until September 1. Jeff is helping her along with a support team working on the installation. Jeff did the same thing several years ago . He had a beautiful butterfly on the playa and was encouraged to bring it to Black Rock and he did. The name of 3V’s creation is “Inikadowa, “. To see some photos of them working along with team members you can visit https://www.burn2.org/

Scroll down on the left, you will see a slide show of the labor. You can learn the background of the name Inikadowa in a link above the photos.

Congrats to all! What an honor! I can’t wait to see it on the Black Rock TV! 

 

Gemma Cleanslate 

 

 

People

 

More on the "Gang of Homos" Controversy

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

On Monday, the Newser reported on Jani La Belle (Janire Coba) having to move her store, Bella Epoque, after being evicted by her then landlord Lighthouse (landland.ansar), saying he didn't like having lesbians on the land, a screenshot showing the words "gang of homo." As a response, she was giving out "Gang of Homos" womens' tees, and was getting much support by fans.

The article got a few comments, including one from Zada Bury, saying she had been read the group notices twice, "it was such kind of stupid 'move.'" Another commented, "If you wanna be in business, the only political viewpoint you should have is what are you paying with. If you wanna wave a political banner, you will lose customers the more you judge them. ... It is your sim... right until you started renting it out. ... You are a weak businessman, aside from whatever other issues you may be having." Another responded, "I think the landlord was awful and should be banned from SL, but is calling a challenge to harass him really a good idea? Not only is it against LL's ToS, but it drags everyone down to his level and makes you just as bad. Why not just report his comments to LL, or create an event to uplift the communities he targeted rather then launching a harassment campaign." And someone else commented a sign of the political situation of the country in real-life, suggesting yours truly write about politics more often (in support of her faction).
 

Since then, more details have come in. Among them, Lighthouse finally answered the Newser, responding:

This is my answer you even i dont care what she said, she is a pure bitch and slut as well like to do a lot of photoshop 

https://gyazo.com/eaa464c4e09df18ff25b0409a0189833

lighthouse  

 

The picture showed more conversation taking place, and instead of "gang of homos" there was "gang of losers."

 

But that wasn't the only development. I was send a link to Lighthouse's rental page on Marketplace. Besides Janire's comment, there was a follow-up by Veronika Nightfire

Landland Ansar is not someone who should be trusted with your business or your events. He donated land for a charity event we were hosting and then turned around and sabotaged it. The moment he felt challenged by queer women, he started showing his true colors. Misogyny. Homophobia. Power-tripping behavior.

He gave us two days' notice to vacate and then banned us from the land entirely before we could even pick up our items. We lost work, decor, and personal belongings we had put into the space. No explanation. No professionalism. Just ego and bigotry.

This was a charity event. This was about helping people. And instead of supporting that, he let his hatred and fragile masculinity ruin it for everyone.

If you’re queer, a woman, trans, or just someone who respects others, avoid him and Lighthouse Realties. He is not safe to work with. Period.

And more notablly, there was one from a few years ago by a MuscleManEric.

WENT TO HIM AS OUT ESTATE GUY WITH A PROBLEM . NOT A BIG ONE BUT IT WAS WORTH ASKING FOR HELP, INSTEAD I WAS MET WITH HOMOPHOBIC RANTS THREATS AND ABUSE, THEN WITH FIVE DAYS REMAINING ON OUR HALF SIM THAT WAS 8050 A WEEK, AND REFUSED TO SPEAK OR TALK TO USE. HE EVEN TRIED TO KEEP OUR OBJECTS. STILL WONT REFUND THE RENT, LIED TO HIS GROUP 100% AND TRIED T MAKE ME LOOK LIKE A LIAR, THEN HE SAID I HAD GAY PHOBIA , WHICH MADE NO SENSE AS I AM GAY AND HE WAS THE ONE ABUSING ME THE CUSTOMER, HE SAID HE DIDT CARE IF WE LEFT THE PARCEL AS HE DIDNT NEED THE MONEY YET STILL, HE HAS KEPT 5 DAYS OF TIERS STIL THAT MORALLY BELONG TO ME.. HE IS A THIEF BEWARE DONT RENT FROM HIM ..
 

I also heard about some developments on Merryjest's Discord (where I first heard about the incident). With the "Band of Homos" tees being made for girls, "I went ahead and made my own hoodie," then post a picture.  

 

Merryjest would do more than just make his personal statement of support, but he would go over to Lighthouse's office and check things out. While there, he would run into him. Merry would try talking him, "He tried to claim Janire was an anti-semite. I pointed out they both support the Palestinian cause, which he verified, so I asked how, then, was she an anti-semite... and he refused to answer." When the "homos" comment was brought up, Lighthouse grumbled he was getting tired of the issue. 

Merryjest would also ask Lighthouse how many properties were currently being held in the rentals. His response was "none of ur boz." On his profile, he claimed to manage 190 sims. Merryjest thought this was odd, noting how bare the office was compared to Loxury Estates (which runs Second Norway).  He would also point out that on the Bonniebots website, there was no listing for Lighthouse. 

 

I would message Lighthouse again. His response by notecard was faster this time.

 

listen mate i knew she will do that so i didnt comment i left her drop herself in the trap she made which is funny

this women been with me 10 years , amd i knew she is a leabian or pride and dont care, even its againt my value and btw dont care whatother says about me on MP each can say whatever they want and its none of any one biz im here from 2007 :) and been grow will i have 190 sims : so dont care

but when come to fraude poeple and say UNRWA and they tell me they dont know her nor they been  aware of this and this must be dont through them as cancer society and many antisemit this no BS on me

and she did photoshop the chat and you can see what I sent you a snapshot, but honest she can fuck herself :0

and sorry no furtern comment now this matter is higher hands and story end here 

He ended me by thanking me for contacting him, wishing me well.

 

This is unlikely to be the last we hear of the issue as Merryjest says he may do a stage performance later about the incident. In the meantime, the rebuilding of Bella Epoque continues with shoppers dropping by.

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

It Came From Bellisseria Chat: "The Priest Who Poofed"

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Several days ago, I had Bellisseria chat open, when I noticed someone message, "Hi. Anyone having a problem with a intruder dressed as a priest he rezzed in my home after i turned secruity off he just stood then poofed, 1 day old? I have been here a few years never had this before." Someone else responded, "Are you the first person to own your house? He may have had it first and didn't change where his home is." A third didn't think so, "If he was 1 day old, he probably hadn't been there before." "True that."

Others were chuckling, "Oh, emm, gee." "Wow!" "He came to bless your home." "It was 'The Bishop!'" "Quick...engage panic mode.....someone was in someone elses house ? (laughs)" "Good story material, though, 'The disappearing priest.' You could turn it into a Bellissarian Mythic Trope." "Won't someone please think of the prim children!" "'The Priest Who Poofed' sounds like an Agatha Christie mystery."

The homeowner continued, "He walked and followed me." So did the comments, "You can always ban him. Do you have his name?" "No, I was so shocked, I didn't think." "He prolly never came back." "EIther turn security back on or ban him by name in your land settings." "Security back on." "(He) reminds me of that creepy *** guy who used to slime around....." "(laughter) awww I remember ***, he was funny. People lost their collective cr*p over him." "You're sure right about that (big grin)." "Some guy named ***....used to be a 'peeping tom' and posted all his snaps on Imgur/tumblr (I can't remember which)." "Oh emm gee. Because that's totally not weird at all." "It was funny.......people were losing their cr*p left, right and centre." "There is no catagory for how gross that is." "What? running round Bellisseria being a 'Peeping tom'? I mean it takes all sorts but still. the reaction from folk was hilarious,  like he'd broke into their real-life homes and pee'd on their kids." "Even in second life there is a thing called privacy, some people should remember that, others should grow up." "Bravo ****....well said!"

The conversation soon movied on to other topics. Whatever became of "The Priest Who Poofed," I would not know.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

People

Exploring Creativity and Scientific Inquiry Through the Metaverse: Our Journey in the Student Building Challenge

 

By: Marcel Mosswood

As an educator deeply committed to integrating immersive technologies in learning, I had the privilege of guiding a group of students through a transformative experience in the metaverse. Together, we participated in the Student Challenge held by VWEC (Virtual World Education Consortium), a competition that encourages learners to design and build creative, research-based virtual environments. We joined with three dedicated teams under the collective name Ice BeAm Team, each of them bringing unique perspectives and thoughtful designs into the metaverse.

The first team, Blue, developed a project titled The Rise of H2O, which explores the profound impact of global warming on water systems. What made this team’s building especially compelling was their use of extensive literature-based research to inform the entire virtual experience. Their environment provided a comprehensive narrative—from rising sea levels and melting glaciers to disrupted water cycles—presented in an engaging, visually informative format that invited users to explore and reflect.

Blue Team building: The Rise of H2O

The second group, Orange, chose a more futuristic theme with their project, Moon Life: Dream or Reality?. Their virtual space simulated conditions on the moon, examining how lunar phases and environmental factors would affect the possibility of human habitation. The highlight of this project was the Lunar Cycle Interactive Ride, an experiential attraction where avatars could ride through the different phases of the moon while absorbing key facts and scientific insights. This interactive component turned abstract concepts into tangible experiences, making learning both fun and memorable.

Orange Team building: Moon Life: Dream or Reality

Our third team, Red, focused on the very real and pressing issue of natural disaster preparedness. Their project, Earthquake Resistance House, modeled how Japanese architectural strategies are applied to build earthquake-resilient homes. Their virtual environment featured a simulation video of an earthquake, utilizing assets from our metaverse school, Suluh Bangsa Mulia. This simulation provided users with an understanding of how specific structural elements help reduce damage during seismic events—a vital topic for students living in earthquake-prone regions.

Red Team building: Earthquake Resistance Building

Behind each of these projects was a rigorous research process. The students built upon lessons they had previously studied in school, applying them in meaningful ways that demonstrated both comprehension and creativity. We encouraged them to investigate beyond the classroom, seek credible sources, and collaborate intensively as part of their project development.

Participating in the VWEC Student Challenge was more than just a competition for us—it was a milestone in experiential learning. It showed how virtual environments can serve as powerful platforms for scientific exploration, critical thinking, and teamwork. Through the lens of the metaverse, our students not only learned new content but also developed skills that will be essential for their future academic and personal growth.

 

Marcel Mosswood

 

 

 

people